706596DA18308264872587530058394E Hearing Summary

Summer Gathercole, Senior Advisor for Behavioral Health Transformation, Colorado Department of Human Services, provided an overview of the Governor's Behavioral Health Task Force.  She described how the task force prioritized recommendations arranged by subject matter, including access and affordability, workforce and support, accountability, consumer and local guidance, and whole person care. Ms. Gathercole further provided an update on the newly created Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), and the related governance model.  She noted that BHA will be initially housed in Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS).  Ms. Gathercole continued to share information about BHA and the expected interplay with the Office of Behavioral Health in CDHS. 

Ms. Gathercole's presentation can be found here:  https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/bhtf_bha_overview_for_091721_finalv2.pdf

Committee members asked questions about budgets and enhancing general funds. Further questions were asked about payer sources. Committee members discussed insurance, Medicaid, accountability, and technology integration. The discussion turned to lack of providers and workforce challenges. Committee discussion ensued about the differences between Medicaid and private insurance for mental health coverage. 

The task force took a break.